The Case for Union with the Netherlands

Day 3,559, 16:25 • Published in Belgium Thailand • by Karakoran

I am, myself, an old-guard of Belgium. I remember the days when the United Netherlands was the de facto government. In those days, everyone in Belgium was satisfied. Belgium had the strength of a united state behind us and protecting us. Belgium never asked for liberty. American infiltrators forced a rebellion in the country to undermine their enemy, the Netherlands, and then invited American colonists over to secure it so that it would never fall into Dutch hands again. I was among those colonists, though not the fighters, and I regret my role in the operation. Because of our actions, Belgium has been permanently in chaos. While the American group was not the final cause of the separation of Belgium (a Romanian group would later deal the death blow), it was what put the spectre of an independent Belgium into the world. This was some 8 years ago, though it hardly feels like it to me.

It's possible I am the only one who remembers those days. Perhaps to you the idea of a united Low Countries is absurd or too alien to be reasoned with or simply offends your senses. However, I feel a deep guilt for my role in the schism which destroyed that state. While it may be too late for me to save that state as it existed, I am firmly committed to the recreation of it. A 'United Provinces' is the best course of action.


Let us be harsh. Currently Belgium is a geopolitical footnote. Belgium is being trampled upon like the beggar in a city of greed. Calling Belgium weak is an understatement. I see no reason to defend an independent Belgium that is not strictly a matter of Belgian pride. This is fair enough. I too love Belgium. But it is out of this love that I seek union. So long as we are weak, we will be trampled upon. We will be unable to defend our nation. I can see nothing more shameful for a nation than this. In peaceful union, we will find tranquility and stability.

The Netherlands is not a strong nation as well. Imagine for a second that we were to join the UK, France, or Germany. It is doubtless that any of those three would dominate Belgium's political sphere. We would have little voice in political affairs and be stifled entirely. With the Netherlands, however, they are small enough that we could coexist in a political sphere. They have only 169 citizens compared to our 139. This would make us more than twice as strong, while still giving us almost half of political representation in voting.

In such a nation, England and Dutch would be our primary languages, with French as a possible tertiary language. Economic policy would be determined by election after a unification, with any major changes by either nation being held off until at least one election after the unification. Which nation should formally annex the other is irrelevant. As I've said, such a thing is merely a matter of pride. Neither country's flag is too terrible, nor is their name too awful. Were I in charge entirely over the process, I would register every active citizen of the annex nation on a forum before the merge. Six months after the merge, these people would be able to hold a vote on whether or not to remain or leave, with simple majority deciding the fate of the annexed nation.

I will freely admit to my own ignorance on current Dutch-Belgian relations. Whether there is popular support for such a union or only the utmost hatred between our nations or any belief in between, I cannot say. I know only that a United Provinces could bring the Low Countries into a new-found prosperity. Perhaps, for the first time, we could be more than a nation which exists off the mercy of the world's Great Powers - as the United Netherlands was in my time.

I hope all who read this do consider this suggestion. I will await any feedback with welcome ears.